2. Projects for improving Counseling and Protection

The following projects are designed to establish a counseling and welfare support system that can resolve various problems of children and teens and to create a preventative and protective environment for high-risk teens, such as runaway teenagers.

Establishing a counseling system for children and teens

There are currently not enough initial stage counseling centers, requiring more centers should be built in each community (dong-unit) within a district. Newly constructed centers will need continuous support from their home districts.

Creating an environment that prevents youth crisis protects youth

Provide street counseling (outreach) in all districts of Seoul for teenagers who are living on the streets: 4 times a year (quarterly)

Expand the protection and independence shelters for teenage runaways: 12 shelters → 14 shelters ※ Current number of shelters is insufficient can only look after 140 teenagers.

Support underprivileged teenagers studying in life long educational centers with late-night snacks and literature and art events: 800 teenagers

3. Program for school dropouts

Foster teens to grow to be productive citizens by offering timely interventions and care for teens at high risk of becoming dropouts to prevent them from dropping out of school and to help them to gain independence.

Detecting school dropouts in early stage and providing counseling

Build an early detection system through the outside school youth support centers (in connection with the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education).

Increase public interest by appointing publicly renowned individual people as the heads of community child centers

Apartment style housing at a child care center

Child care support in cooperation with private organizations

Supporting children of low-income families through the Children Foundation: 5,400 kids, 560 million won

Pay for education expenses of children from low-income families (Now Start): 700 kids, 70 million won

Improving the environment of child care centers

Build apartment style housing in child care centers (23 centers), expanding group homes to provide a family-like environment for children (70 group homes).

Operate independent living halls for children who have been discharged from the care center (3 living halls), help children with finding a job, and provide counseling to help them gain independence (Child Independence Support Center).

5. Children’s Rights

Accordance to the Ordinance on Human Rights for Children and Teens, which was enacted for the first time in Korea by the Seoul government, Seoul Metropolitan Government is establishing a comprehensive human right plan and increasing both children and teens’ participations in related policies.

Establishing a comprehensive plan for children and youth rights

Draw out basic directions and projects to realize child and youth rights.

Accept opinions and produce guidelines through advisory conferences and public hearings.